IB council votes for ecotourism: Imperial Beach to develop commercial area near bikeway

Coastal panel must rule on conversion of two warehouses

IMPERIAL BEACH  Coronado resident and entrepreneur Rex Butler saw an opportunity in the South Bay to enhance an already spectacular view.

Butler, 60, purchased about two acres in the city of Imperial Beach where he plans to convert two warehouse structures near the Bayshore Bikeway into a small-scale commercial development area that preserves coastal views, promotes ecotourism and pedestrian activity.

The Imperial Beach City Council passed an ordinance April 3 that approved modifications to the commercial and recreation Ecotourism Zone, set by the California Coastal Commission.

Butler said he initially invested in the property near 13th and Florence streets because he needed storage space.

“Then I realized it’s a pretty nice spot,” he said. “When you are on the bike path, there really aren’t any restrooms, anyplace to get water, a beer or a sandwich.”

Butler, 60, has been in the restaurant business nearly 35 years and owns Fish House Vera Cruz in Carlsbad, San Marcos and Temecula.

The property was rezoned from residential to commercial.

“It could have been 14 homes on the site but I think it’s better for the city to have some sales tax revenue coming in,” he said. “We’re creating an intersection that would slow the traffic down and providing some public restrooms for the bikers.”

The project is anticipated to mitigate sales and property taxes that would contribute to the fiscal health of the city in tax revenue.

“We’d like to have a bike shop, a brewery, florist, barbershop—maybe some art galleries,” Butler said.

Property manager Terry McCaleb has worked on several projects with Butler.

“We’re getting to the point where we can start zooming in on potential tenants,” McCaleb said.

Butler began courting the property early in 2009.

“The views of the bay are amazing,” Butler said. “We’re going to enhance what’s already there. We want to put in little patios and an observation deck. We’ll cater to bikers and walkers.”

Butler said he also plans to improve the parking and access to the bay.

“I think it’s kind of like your legacy-type thing when you can go in and make something for a neighborhood that can last a long time,” McCaleb said.

County Supervisor Greg Cox is supportive of the project.

“I got really excited about it because it’s exactly what we’ve been wanting to promote here,” Cox said.

Cox said that an outside deck area would provide the perfect opportunity to have a cocktail, sit down and look out over the refuge.

“I think it’s a perfect example of having a regional amenity like the Bayshore Bikeway and that being a catalyst for buildings that have used up their useful lives, for rejuvenation and redevelopment of community neighborhoods,” Cox said.

The California Coastal Commission must approve the project before work can begin.

“It’s a very unique spot,” Butler said. “We think it will be the jewel of Imperial Beach.”

The Bayshore Bikeway is a 24-mile bicycle facility around the San Diego Bay. Currently, about 13 miles of bicycle paths are in use. The rest consists of on-street sections designated as bicycle lanes and bicycle routes.